CAMELOT Returns to Broadway in Irish Rep. Benefit Concert, 6/6

Off-Broadway's acclaimed Irish Repertory Theatre presents its 2011 Annual Benefit Gala, a concert performance on Broadway of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's CAMELOT - the beloved musical that defined an age with its lush romantic score that soars above the legendary tale of idealism, passion and betrayal - on Monday, June 6 at The Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street) in Manhattan. Charlotte Moore, who directed last year's acclaimed concert staging of BRIGADOON on Broadway and helms the Irish Repertory's current production of Dion Boucicault's THE SHAUGHRAUN, will direct.

In CAMELOT, King Arthur has created a utopian land of chivalry and civil rule. But when his beloved Queen Guenevere and Sir Lancelot, his most trusTed Knight, succumb to their passion for one another, he faces a terrible dilemma that will rock his kingdom to its very core.

Some of the enchanting musical numbers in CAMELOT include "If Ever I Would Leave You," "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood," "The Lusty Month of May," "How to Handle a Woman," "C'est Moi!," "I Loved You Once in Silence," and "What Do Simple Folk Do?"

James Barbour, who recently starred on Broadway in A TALE OF TWO CITIES, and Melissa Errico, who recently appeared at the Irish Repertory Theatre in its acclaimed revival of CANDIDA, will reprise the roles of Lancelot and Guenevere, respectively, which they initially played at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005. Additional casting, featuring Broadway's exquisite artists accompanied by a full orchestra and chorus of fifty, is to be announced.

CAMELOT features musical direction by Mark Hartman (BRIGADOON, AVENUE Q).

In the 1960 stage version of CAMELOT, the original stars were Richard Burton as Arthur, Julie Andrews as Guenevere, Robert Goulet as Lancelot, Roddy McDowall as Mordred, and John Cullum as Sir Dinadan. Directed by Moss Hart, the original Broadway production opened at The
Majestic Theatre on December 3, 1960, and played 874 performances. It was favorite bedtime listening in the White House for John F. Kennedy. Forever afterward, the name "Camelot" has been associated with the Kennedy administration.

Irish Repertory's 2011 Annual Benefit Gala featuring this concert version of CAMELOT, one of the most glorious musicals of all time, will be followed by dinner with the cast at Sardi's, the Theatre's legendary celebrity restaurant (234 West 44th Street).

Kathleen Begala is 2011 Gala Chair.

The evening celebrates the company's 23rd season, which was as varied as it was celebrated: beginning with the world premiere of Kelly Younger's BANISHED CHILDREN OF EVE, adapted from the novel by Peter Quinn; Conor McPherson's ST. NICHOLAS; Dylan Thomas's A CHILD'S
CHRISTMAS IN WALES; Thomas Kilroy's MY SCANDALOUS LIFE; and Brian Friel's MOLLY SWEENEY.

Lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe are known for some of Broadway's most successful musicals, including MY FAIR LADY, PAINT YOUR WAGON, BRIGADOON, and CAMELOT, which was first produced on Broadway in 1960 and won four Tony Awards. The team also collaborated on 1958's Oscar-winning film GIGI and its subsequent stage version in 1973.

Charlotte Moore's most recent directing assignments include THE SHAUGHRAUN, MOLLY SWEENEY, A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES, THE IRISH...AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY, WHITE WOMAN STREET, ERNEST IN LOVE, THE YEATS PROJECT, ARISTOCRATS, TAKE ME ALONG, GASLIGHT, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION, and MR. DOOLEY'S AMERICA. In addition, she directed last year's BRIGADOON IN CONCERT at Broadway's Shubert Theatre.

Co-founded by Producing Director Ciarán O'Reilly and Artistic Director Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS. The mission of the theatre was and remains to bring works by Irish and Irish American masters and contemporary playwrights to American audiences; to provide a context for understanding the contemporary Irish American experience; and to encourage the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well as a range of other cultures.

Upcoming at the Irish Repertory Theatre is its revival of Dion Boucicault's comic masterpiece THE SHAUGHRAUN, set to begin previews on the company's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage on April 21, prior to its official press opening May 1. THE SHAUGHRAUN runs through June 12.

Irish Repertory's 2011 Gala benefit performance of CAMELOT runs Monday, June 6, beginning at 7pm at the Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street), followed by dinner at Sardi's (234 West 44th Street). For Dinner and Theatre Packages, contact Maureen Cavanaugh at 212-255-0270 or email maureen@irishrep.org. Individual tickets to the performance only run $100-$300. For Theatre Only tickets, call 212-727-2737 or online at www.irishrep.org.

For more information, please visit www.irishrep.org.